Our Sponsors

2014 Gallery

James Neiss/staff photographerNiagara Falls, NY - Thomas Joseph gives a hug to his daughter Tyenna Joseph, 4, a pre-k student at Hyde Park Elementary, who brought her father to school with her. The Niagara Falls City School District participated in the State-wide program, Dad's Take Your Child To School Day. The event encourages fathers and men of significance in the lives of children to take that child to school.To purchase photos, go to: photos.niagara-gazette.com and click "Browse." For Immediate Release Niagara Falls City School District September 2, 2014 DADS AND MEN INVITED TO SCHOOL SEPTEMBER 16 The Niagara Falls City School District is proud to be joined Catholic Academy and Niagara County Headstart and community partners the City of Niagara Falls, Family & Children’s Services of Niagara, Focus on Families, the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, the Niagara Falls Police Department, the City of Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Niagara Falls Sheriff Department, Casey House, and Legislators Jason Zona, Dennis Virtuoso, and Owen Steed. The State-wide event encourages fathers and men of significance in the lives of children to take that special child to school; it will be held September 16. In the District, guests can arrive around 8:30 a.m., walk children to classes and then meet in a specific area for coffee, snacks, and a welcome. The entire event can take less than an hour, but is a chance to get a feel for the school environment. District Public Relations Director Judie Glaser is chairing the event. “There has been tremendous support for this event to reinforce the importance of men in the lives of children,” Glaser said, citing donations from Maid of the Mist, Four Seasons Cinema, the Buffalo Bills, and Buffalo Sabres, each of which contributed items to be used as door prizes at elementary schools. Niagara Falls Redevelopment also sponsored nylon bags to be given to each participant. Participants will include fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers and family friends. In Niagara Falls, students and participants will be welcomed to the new school year by police officers, politicians, pastors, and Board of Education members. Every adult who participates will receive a bumper sticker that says, “I took my child to school,” and will receive some information on the school, volunteering, or the District. “We want this to be Step One in making fathers and men feel valued and welcomed in our schools,” Glaser said. Participation has increased annually, reaching 1,000 men last year. Partnering agencies are cooperating by posting flyers, informing employees, adding the information to that agency’s website and social media pages, and/or being present at a particular school to welcome students and men. “The participation of so many organizations, agencies, and individuals sends a strong message that the community supports men who support the educational and general well-being of their children and the children in their lives.” Do Men Matter? Stats from the State Dads Take Your Child To School Day website. 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes– nine times the national average. 85% of all youth in prison come from fatherless homes. That’s 20 times the national average. Children living in two-parent households with a positive relationship with their father are 32% less likely to smoke, drink or use drugs compared to all teens in two-parent households Adolescent girls raised with involved fathers are significantly less likely to be sexually active Boys whose fathers are present in the household are two times less likely to go to prison as boys with fathers that are absent.